Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Humanities (HUM)

HUM 1310 History and Culture of the Berbers 3(3-0)

The purpose of this course is to provide students with some insight into the specifics of Berber culture and institutions, starting with a background survey covering the origins, distribution, and common history up to the medieval times of the Berber peoples of North Africa. The focus will then shift to Morocco, covering events from the Almohad period up to the present time, with emphasis on Berber resistance during the colonial period, together with an analysis of present problems confronting the Amazigh community in this country, with special reference to the Middle Atlas. Time will also be devoted to the study of the various Berber-speaking areas of Morocco, Berber toponyms, and English translations of oral texts (folk-tales, proverbs, epic and lyrical verse, riddles, etc.).

This is an optional course in the North African and Middle Eastern Studies Concentration for the BAIS

HUM 3301 Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification

This course is an introduction to Islamic art and architecture with an emphasis on the Maghreb and al-Andalus. The first section of the course deals with the period of formation of Islamic art from the advent of Islam to the end of the Umayyad period. The second section consists of a survey of the art and architecture of the major dynasties of the Islamic West from A.D. 750 to A.D. 1800. The last section of the course will link Islamic art, architecture, and urbanism to their social and economic contexts.

This is a University Core Curriculum Course for the BBA, BSGE, BSCSC, BSEMS
This is a School Core Curriculum Course for the BAIS, BACS & BSHRD

HUM 3302 Introduction to the Study of Islamic Civilization 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification

It introduces the student to the general features of various aspects of Islamic civilization using an approach that takes into account the basis of this civilization, its sources and its permanent components. Causes of past development of this civilization will be related to factors that explain its present- day vitality.

This is a University Core Curriculum Course for the BBA, BAIS, BACS & BSHRD, BSGE, BSCSC, BSEMS

HUM 3306 Comparative Religion 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification

This course is an introduction to the study of the world’s major religions: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The course will cover their major philosophical trends with an emphasis on those concepts that are shared by all of them. In addition, other less known religions and religious movements will be discussed focusing in the universality of religions and philosophical thought.

This is a University Core Curriculum Course for the BBA, BAIS, BACS & BSHRD, BSGE, BSCSC, BSEMS

HUM 3311 Women and Culture 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification

It examines the complex relationships between women and culture, introduces students to theories of culture, gender, and representation, analyzes the images of women and sexuality in various cultural discourses such as oral literature, television, popular music, advertising, magazines, as well as high culture arts, and considers women's participation in cultural and aesthetic production, from traditional crafts through music to modern art forms.

This is an Elective in the Minor of Women and Development Studies for the BAIS

HUM 3412 Moroccan Cultural Heritage 4(4-0)
Pre-requisites: HUM 3302; HIS 2302

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a deep knowledge of Moroccan cultural heritage from both tangible and intangible perspectives. Through the positive intermingling of Berber, Arab, Islamic, Jewish, Roman, Andalusian, French, Saharan and Sub-Saharan cultures, Morocco has been a place for innovation in the arts of living and building. The course will place an emphasis on Moroccan heritage as it continues to thrive in cities, towns and villages throughout the country. It aims at providing an understanding of how the traditions of Moroccan life can serve as a catalyst for developments in contemporary Morocco. This four (4) SCH course involves a number of local and cross-country field trips for which students will need to pay a supplemental fee.

This is an optional course in the North African and Middle Eastern Studies Concentration for the BAIS

HUM 3320 American Culture 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification

This course will address a variety of questions surrounding culture in the United States, including film, music, and other media. It will include discussions concerning the multicultural atmosphere of the United States. It will also address topics related to the rural-urban shift, the movement towards the cities in the North and the inclusion/exclusion dynamics related to minority cultural artifacts.

This is an optional course in the American Studies Concentration for the BAIS